Students admitted to the University are subject to the University’s rules and regulations. Some of these may be found in the University’s Catalog and in the Student Handbook, both, which are available online, and in other formats through the Student Services, Academic Affairs, Admissions, and other offices. While the information presented here is as accurate as possible as of the date of publication, the University reserves the right to make changes as future circumstances may require. University of the Cumberlands catalog versions are published each summer for the upcoming academic year. Changes to the Academic Catalog will be completed by May 1st each spring to be included in the upcoming academic year catalog versions published each summer. Emergency changes or updates that are deemed critical may be submitted outside this regular deadline.
The Student Handbook contains information of great significance to the students of University of the Cumberlands. Every University of the Cumberlands student should make themselves familiar with the contents of this student handbook. Since this bulletin includes regulations with respect to student conduct, and since every student may avail himself of a copy, each student is expected to abide by the standards and regulations set forth in this publication. Failure to receive a Student Handbook does not excuse the student from abiding by the rules and regulations as written in the Handbook.
The University Community
University of the Cumberlands seeks to be a place of free inquiry and a community, which searches for truth. As the University invites the infusion of student opinion, the University expects students to respect the opinions of others, including fellow students, faculty, staff, and members of the administration. Students are expected to express their opinions and thoughts in ways which are appropriate in this Christian academic community. The University offers no sanctuary to any individual who condones, advocates or participates in behavior deemed inappropriate by the University. Any person who engages in such behavior will be disciplined. “Participation in” means being present at gatherings which include activities not sanctioned by the University, whether one is an active participant or not. Failure to obey orders of University officials during any type of situation may result in immediate suspension from school. The University admits students who come here voluntarily, to continue their education, presumably with a full understanding of the rules and regulations. Once having entered this University, students are expected to abide not only by the policies and procedures of the campus, but by the laws of this nation.
Privacy Rights of Students
The University is subject to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This federal law affords students certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Students may ask the University to amend a record. They should write the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading, or a violation of their privacy rights. If the Registrar decides not to amend as requested, the Registrar will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request and will provide the student with additional information regarding the request and will provide the student with additional information regarding the hearing procedures.
- The right to consent to disclosures of personal identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorized disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent) to perform a university function which would otherwise be accomplished by a university employee; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The University may also disclose, without the student’s consent, “directory information”, unless the student has advised the Registrar in writing at least five days following registration that the student does not wish part or all of the directory information to be made public. Once filed, this instruction becomes a permanent part of the student’s record until the student instructs the University, in writing, to have the request removed. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the University to include this type of information in certain University publications, the media, and outside organizations.
The University has designated the following as examples of directory information: the student’s name, addresses including electronic mail address, telephone numbers, date and place of birth, major field of study, degree sought, attained class level, expected date of completion of degree requirements and graduation, degrees and awards received, picture, dates of attendance, full or part-time enrollment status, the previous educational agency or institution attended, class rosters, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members.
The University may disclose education records without the student’s consent in certain other circumstances as allowed by law. Students may contact the Registrar with questions or complaints about the content or release of their education records.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements FERPA. The name and address of the office which administers FERPA and to which complaints are to be sent is Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20202-4605.
Academic Dishonesty Policy
At a Christian liberal arts university committed to the pursuit of truth and understanding, any act of academic dishonesty is especially distressing and cannot be tolerated. In general, academic dishonesty involves the abuse and misuse of information or people to gain an undeserved academic advantage or evaluation. The common forms of academic dishonesty include:
- Cheating - using deception in the taking of tests or the preparation of written work, using unauthorized materials, copying another person’s work with or without consent, or assisting another in such activities.
- Lying - falsifying, fabricating, or forging information in either written or spoken presentations.
- Plagiarism - using the published writings, data, interpretations, or ideas of another without proper documentation.
- Multiple submissions - submitting the same academic written or oral work for which credit was previously received, without the approval of the instructor.
Episodes of academic dishonesty are reported as appropriate to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The potential penalty for academic dishonesty includes.
- a failing grade on a particular assignment,
- a failing grade for the entire course,
- suspension or expulsion, or
- revocation of a degree.
Disability Accommodations
University of the Cumberlands accepts qualified students without regard to disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations in the classroom, housing, food service, or other areas for students with documented disabilities. The University’s obligation to reasonably accommodate any student’s disability ends where the accommodation would pose an undue hardship on the University or where the accommodation in question would fundamentally alter the academic program.
Mrs. Shirley Stephens serves as the Coordinator of Student Accommodations. For accommodations to be provided, a student must complete an Accommodations Application form available online at https://www.ucumberlands.edu/accessibility) and provide appropriate documentation of the disability. Documentation should include statements from a qualified professional, stating the disability, how the diagnosis was determined, description of functional limitations and specific accommodation recommendations.
Accommodation records from a high school or previously attended educational institution may qualify as appropriate documentation, but supplemental documentation may be requested.
Additional information regarding accommodations can be found in the Guidelines for Documentation (available online at https://www.ucumberlands.edu/accessibility).
When all paperwork is on file, a meeting between the student and the Director of Student Accommodations will be arranged to discuss possible accommodations before accommodations are formally approved.
Students must renew academic accommodations at the start of each new term. Certifications for other accommodations are normally reviewed annually. All accommodations may be reviewed at any time at the request of the student or of the Director of Student Accommodations.
Name and Contact Information Changes
It is every student’s responsibility to keep the registrar informed of current contact information throughout their program and enrollment. Changes of name, address and telephone number must be reported within seven days of occurrence through the MyUC portal.
Students are required to use the email address provided by the University. The University will not be held responsible for consequences incurred as a result of our inability to contact students in a timely manner due to contact information changes that were not reported to the Office of the Registrar.
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